ADVERTISING FEATURE 6223107AA AutoZone AutoZone Landrover, born out of post-war shortages T By GRAHAM KEEP oday our roads as well as our farms have large numbers of four-wheel-drives from numerous manufacturers. One vehicle that seems to have been around forever is the Landrover, a vehicle that started life as a real workhorse and, like most others, has developed into the upmarket Range Rover. The original Landrover was developed by Rover following World War II, a time when tractors and steel were in short supply. The Rover Motor Company’s chief designer, Maurice Wilkes, owned a wartime surplus Jeep for use on his farm, but spares were hard to come by and new Jeeps were not being exported from the US. Steel was in short supply and the government allocation was not enough for Rover to produce their required number of cars, and therefore something other than cars was needed to ensure the company’s survival. Farm tractors were also in short supply and Maurice Wilkes came up with the idea of Landrover to replace his Jeep, which had proved so helpful around the farm. The original Landrover chassis was on the original Landrover. Launched at the Amsterdam car show in 1948, the Landrover proved a great success as a useful fourwheel-drive, while the numerous power modes made it a low-cost, readily available substitute for a small farm tractor. The initial sales target of 5000 vehicles was well and truly exceeded with 8000 being sold in the first full year. Landrover soon became far more than just a farm vehicles, with sales to the armed services, police, contractors, rescue services and fire brigades, something that further boosted sales, and by 1951 were outselling Rover cars by two to one. Since those early days Landrover has developed numerous models and, although the Range Rover is an upmarket four-wheel-drive, it is still possible to buy a modern off-road vehicle based on the original Landrover concept. Along with the changing design, Enduring: The original Land Rover chassis was based on the design of the wartime Jeep, fitted with a Rover car engine. The Rover company is currently owned by Indian car maker Tata. based around the design of the wartime Jeep, fitted with a Rover car engine. Bodywork design was simplified and aluminium was used instead of steel. After the war aluminium, was reasonably plentiful following the downturn in aircraft manufacture, as was the aircraft cockpit paint used the Rover Motor Company has changed hands numerous times, finally being purchased from Ford by Tata Motors, India’s biggest car manufacturer, in 2008. Hopefully this will mean the continuation of the universally iconic brand. Servicing our community with • WOF • Premium Oil and Lube Products • Auto Electrical Services • Competitive Tyre Pricing • Servicing and Repairs for all Cars & 4WD vehicles Quad & 2 Wheel Motor Bikes * Transmission Flushes NOW AVAILABLE 6 Main St, Weston Ph: 03 434 0291 • ludemotors@vodafone.co.nz Shop locally and save.... • 05 Toyota Fun Cargo ................................................................................$8,995 • 06 Toyota Vitz 1.5 Lt ...............................................................................$10,999 • 06 Suzuki SX4 1.5 Lt ...............................................................................$12,495 • 06 Honda Fit ......................................................................... reduced to $9,475 • 05 Toyota iST 1.3 low kms ........................................................................$9,995 • 06 Holden Barina Auto 3 door ................................................................$6,995 • 07 Toyota Vitz 1.3 8 airbags ...................................................................$11,999 • 08 Toyota Carolla Deisel 5 speed .........................................................$10,995 Doug Algie Autos Andys Autos Ltd T/A Andrew Denize 6223362AA 03 427 0222 or 027 459 1293 Showroom • 335 Thames highway Oamaru andysautos@clear.net.nz • www.dougalgieautos.co.nz 6223410AA checked by our trained servicemen • Trucks • Tractors • 4WD • Family cars Get your tyres • We will come to you • 24/7 • On-farm service available • Tyres • Batteries 72 Humber Street • Phone (03) 434 6801 Agents for 6223422AA WAITAKI HERALD, AUGUST 6, 2014 19 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED 6223362AA